Jo-Wilfried Tsonga continued his poor run against the top 10 this year with a three set defeat against Tomas Berdych. The 7-5 3-6 6-1 victory ensures Berdych remains in contention for the second qualifying spot from Group A but his chances remain in the hands of Andy Murray.

Breaks were at a premium in the match, and just the one would settle the first set. Berdych was comfortable throughout and did not face one break point in the first. He first threatened at 3-3, seeing three break point chances come and with big serving under pressure helping Tsonga a great deal. The Czech would finally make the breakthrough in game 11, taking advantage of a sloppy service game from his opponent to break for the chance to serve out the set which he would do successfully to 15.

Tsonga would begin to get together early in the second and would eventually break for the only time in the match, coming out on top in a lengthy service game at the third time of asking to take a 3-1 lead. Neither player would threaten each other on serve until the end, when Berdych held 30-0 and 40-30 leads in the match but would fail to convert as Tsonga took the first set point to force a decider.

After failing to take two break points in the opening game of the third set, Tsonga would fall apart – taking just four points on his way to losing the final five games of the match to exit the competition without putting up much of a fight in the end.

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